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Dendrolobium umbellatum (cultivar)
| Family Name: | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |
| Synonyms: | Desmodium umbellatum 'Aurea' |
| Common Name: | Horse Bush, Petai Laut, 白木蘇花 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small tree up to 6 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Compound, odd-pinnate leaves occur in alternate leaf arrangement. The lateral leaflets are ovate (egg-shaped), while the terminal leaflet is obovate-oblong to elliptic (4-8 cm long, 3-5 cm wide). The upper surface is hairless, while the lower surface is nearly hairless or covered in soft, minute hairs. |
| Flowers | White, pea-shaped flowers are arranged in small clusters near the branch tips. |
| Fruit | Flattened, linear pods (2-4 cm long) are composed of 4-5 oval-shaped segments that are joined together at the ends. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: This tree can be planted on beaches and sand dunes to help control erosion. The leaves can also be used as fodder. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Slope Stabilization |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Brown |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Papilionaceous / Pea-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32265 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6673 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
